Board of Supervisors

Board of Supervisors

Three members of the Board of Supervisors face no opposition this year. Mike Massie from Hampton District, Charles K. “Pete” Estes of Piedmont District and Robert Anderson of Stonewall-Hawthom District apparently have few constituents who are dissatisfied.

Col. Ellis Bingham of Jackson District and Hubert Gilkey of Wakefield District have attracted challengers.

Col. Bingham has been the odd man out in many discussions of the Board of Supervisors. He is seldom in a voting minority, since most votes are unanimous, but in discussions he seems to do his thinking out loud. Recently he has tried to launch the Board of Supervisors in the hopeless cause of try ing to repeal the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the amendment that allows the federal government to collect income taxes.

His challenger Ron Frazier, as chairman of the county Republican Party, has never been known to break with the party on any issue. Rappahannock County has been fortunate to escape partisan politics in its local government for many years. Most candidates run as independents and the county has been spared the bickering that frequently characterizes county government in many localities.

The two men seem to have very similar views on most issues. It is not much of a choice, but Mr. Frazier has the advantage of youth. Perhaps he will stay awake for the meetings.

In Wakefield District Roger Welch is challenging Hubert Gilkey for his seat on the board. Mr. Welch claims that Mr. Gilkey, whom he describes as a friend, represents the county’s “good old boy” politics.

It is not clear what he means by that. Mr. Gilkey works with the rest of the members of the board to develop solutions, rather than score points. If that is what “good old boy” politics means, the county needs more of it. Mr. Gilkey deserves another term.